10 players that FC Halifax Town could target as potential new signings this summer

May 10, 2024 admin FC Halifax Town 0

The conjecture surrounding the potential additions FC Halifax Town may make to their roster during the offseason has already begun to swirl.

We asked NFL and non-league football writer Joseph Pope of the Off The Line blog for his recommendations on potential Shaymen signings.

The first player on this list is one that will need no introduction to Shaymen fans; former FC Halifax Town right-back Jeff King. King was released by Chesterfield upon their promotion into the Football League and so is a free agent, leaving many in a Town persuasion dreaming of a return for the former Town defender. With rumours of Tylor Golden interesting parties at a higher level after another strong campaign, King could represent the ideal replacement for Golden. King is experienced, very much the modern-day full-back with an attacking outlook, tendency to get forward and contribute with goals and assists, and is a fans favourite at The Shay. They say don’t go back to former players, but an option like this may be too good to turn down.

1. Jeff King

The first player on this list, former FC Halifax Town right-back Jeff King, will come as no surprise to Shaymen supporters. King is a free agent after Chesterfield released him following their promotion to the Football League, which has many Town supporters hoping for the former Town defender to return. Tylor Golden is rumoured to be intriguing higher-ups following another successful campaign; King might be the best choice to succeed Golden. King is a seasoned player who embodies the modern full-back with an attacking mentality, a propensity to move forward and contribute goals and assists, and a beloved figure among the Shay supporters. Although it’s advised not to reconnect with former teammates, this could be too wonderful of an opportunity to pass up.

By design, The Shaymen’s transfer business has to be done with a degree of adaptability built into it; their budget is one of the lowest in the division, and so signing versatile players who can cover a number of bases is almost a prerequisite. In this regard, Kilsby ticks that box as a player who is capable of playing anywhere down the left-hand side, be it as a centre-back, left-back or more advanced in a midfield position. Released by Carlisle United at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Kilsby spent time North of the border with Queen of the South and so has some first-team experience under his belt in a notoriously physical league system. A highly-rated prospect, Millington is a talented coach who could well get the best out of him. He is in-keeping with the squad profile of signing diamonds in the rough to polish, and while he may not be a direct starter, I think he would be worth a look.

2. Max Kilsby

Since The Shaymen have one of the lowest budgets in the competition, adding adaptable players who can cover several bases is practically a need. As such, their transfer business must be designed with some degree of flexibility. Kilsby fits the bill in this sense because he can play anywhere on the left side of the field, whether it be as a centre back, left back, or further forward in a midfield position. Kilsby, who was released by Carlisle United at the end of the 2023–24 season, played for Queen of the South, a team located north of the border, and has first-team experience in a league known for its physicality. Millington is a gifted coach who is a highly regarded prospect who may bring out the most in him. Although he might not be a direct starter, he fits the squad description of signing diamonds in the rough to polish, so it would be worth a look.

The Shaymen need to strengthen in the middle of the park and so one option that is available and on the more experienced side is former Monkeyhangers man Tom Crawford. The former Pools midfielder was released at the end of the campaign, headlining the list of departures from Hartlepool and one that fans were perhaps a tad surprised that was being let go as he still retains popularity in Hartlepool quarters. He is a hard-working, diligent midfielder that sits at the base of midfield and can engage, but can equally get about the pitch, gets stuck in, is strong technically and the sort of rough diamond yet selfless applicator that Millington likes. He is capped by England C, has lots of experience under his belt and has got promoted out of the division before, and is still only 24 years of age. He won’t be flashy, but will be wholly functional.

3. Tom Crawford

Tom Crawford, a former member of the Monkeyhangers, is an option that is available and on the more experienced side and is someone the Shaymen need to bolster in the middle of the park. At the conclusion of the season, the former Pools midfielder was released. He was the most high-profile departure from Hartlepool, and fans may have been a little shocked by his departure given his continued popularity within the team. He is a dedicated, hard-working midfielder who can play at the base of the midfield and engage, but he can also get down on the ball, get sunk in, and possess the technical strength and rough diamond, selfless applicator combination that Millington appreciates. At just 24 years old, he has already been promoted out of the division, has a tonne of experience, and is an England C cap bearer. He will be completely useful rather than ostentatious.

The decision to release Rob Harker came as a surprise to me; I am a fan of the forward. Harker’s exit may well be a case of Millington wanting to bring in a 20-30 capable forward instead, and so Marcus Dinanga could well be an option. On his day still one of the better forwards in the National League, Dinanga has fallen out of favour at Gateshead under Rob Elliot and is now available for a move at the end of this season with his contract expiring. I fully expect him to be on the move, yet I don’t see – apart from The Shaymen – a Northern side in need of an obvious new centre forward to lead the line and so the promise of regular football could well sway Dinanga to The Shay. Town don’t create a great deal in the way of chances, but if given the supply line I think Dinanga is more than capable of registering North of 20 goals next term.

4. Marcus Dinanga

I am a fan of Rob Harker, thus I was surprised by the choice to release him. It’s possible that Millington wants to replace Harker with a 20–30 capable forward, in which case Marcus Dinanga would be a possibility. Dinanga, who was formerly considered one of the top forwards in the National League, has fallen out of Rob Elliot’s favour at Gateshead and is now free to go after this season ends because his contract is up. I completely anticipate that he will be moving, but aside from The Shaymen, I don’t see any other Northern team in dire need of a new centre forward to set the tone. As such, the prospect of playing regularly could potentially convince Dinanga to join The Shay. Town doesn’t produce many opportunities, but if they have the right supply line, I believe Dinanga can score more than 20 goals the following season.

In wake of Luke Summerfield’s exit, The Shaymen need an experienced enforcer to sit at the base of midfield. One player who can most certainly provide that is former Rochdale man Adam Clayton. Clayton was released by Dale at the end of the season, and is a player whose game is hall-marked by being a robust, tough-tackling, disciplinarian style at the base of midfield with a readiness to tackle and ability to screen the back four. He is perhaps not as good a passer as Luke Summerfield – albeit, in truth, in few are – but he has played in the Football League for much of his career and could provide the perfect antithesis to the more tricky and technical Town operators. With The Shaymen favouring the signing of younger players, adding the experience of players like Clayton is needed to create a strong leadership group, and as a replacement for Summerfield I think he could be a decent option.

5. Adam Clayton

The Shaymen require a seasoned enforcer to sit at the base of midfield following Luke Summerfield’s departure. Adam Clayton, who was once at Rochdale, is one player who can undoubtedly supply that. Clayton is a player whose game is characterised by having a strong, tough-tackling, disciplinarian style at the base of midfield with the ability to screen the back four and be ready to tackle. Clayton was released by Dale at the end of the season. Though, to be honest, not many are as brilliant a passing as Luke Summerfield, he has spent the majority of his career in the Football League and might be the ideal counterbalance to the more devious and technical Town players. In light of The Shaymen’s preference for recruiting younger players, it is important to add the expertise of players like Clayton in order to develop a strong leadership group. In addition, I believe Clayton would make a good Summerfield replacement.

One player who may be on the lookout for a fresh start this summer and thus could be of interest to The Shaymen is York City front man Will Davies. Davies was signed by York City from lower league Leiston earlier in the 2023-24 campaign, but was immediately moved on and signed for Bromley on loan; thus, casting doubt over whether Adam Hinshelwood wants him in the first-team next year. The budgetary constraints of The Shaymen somewhat dictates that they may not be able to sign the finished article, opting for a younger profile, and so a player like Davies could well fit the bill. He finished the campaign with Bromley and has shown – even in his brief spell with The Minstermen – he is a capable goal scorer. Nippy and agile, the dynamic forward may be a good loan option.

6. Will Davies

York City forward Will Davies is one player that The Shaymen would be interested in as he might be looking for a fresh start this summer. Earlier in the 2023–24 season, Davies was signed by York City from lower league Leiston; however, he was quickly traded and signed a loan with Bromley, raising questions about whether Adam Hinshelwood will keep Davies in the starting lineup the next season. The Shaymen’s financial limitations may prevent them from signing the completed piece; instead, they may choose to sign a player with a younger profile, and Davies would be a good fit in that regard. He concluded the season with Bromley and has proven that he is a quality goal scorer, even during his brief tenure with The Minstermen. Quick and nimble, the dynamic forward might make a useful loan choice.

FC Halifax Town have done well out of looking lower in the pyramid for new signings in recent terms, and so one that they could consider who is based locally is youngster Terell Pennant. Pennant is on the books of Coalville Town and the youngster has impressed this term with The Ravens, and is a former Leicester City academy graduate. In terms of the profile Millington often opts for – ex-Academy players in need of a second chance that they can develops – he fits the bill. A versatile, dynamic attacker that is direct and powerful, the 21-year-old is a tricky and skilful winger with quick feet – a bit similar to Andrew Oluwabori in that respect – and I think he represents clever long-term investment.

7. Terell Pennant

Young player Terell Pennant is based in the area, and FC Halifax Town has done well in the past by searching further down the pyramid for new additions. Pennant, a former Leicester City academy trainee, is currently on the roster of Coalville Town. The young player has made an impression with The Ravens this season. Millington matches the description of former Academy players in need of a second opportunity to improve, which is one that he frequently chooses. The 21-year-old is a direct, robust, and versatile striker who is also a tricky and skilled winger with fast feet. He is similar to Andrew Oluwabori in that regard, and I believe he is a wise long-term investment.Pictured by Ashley Allen

After Brackley Town failed to get promoted, one player who could be available is Solihull Moors front man Connor Hall. Hall is a player that I have always been a fan of it, be it his time at Woking, latterly with Chorley, and has had a good end to the campaign with National League North side. The striker – brother of Newcastle United left-back Lewis – is one that has always struck me as being rather robust and industrious, decent with back to goal, dynamic, powerful and got a good strike on him. More importantly, a decent finisher. With Solihull Moors favouring Tahvon Campbell and Mark Beck and opportunities with The Moors seemingly limited, I think he will look to depart the club this summer and so the attraction of Step 1 football may well be one that interests him.

8. Connor Hall

Connor Hall, the front man for Solihull Moors, is one player that might be available after Brackley Town lost out on promotion. I have always thought highly of Hall as a player, both during his time at Woking and more recently with Chorley. He has also had a strong season-ending performance with the National League North team. The striker, who is the brother of Lewis, the left-back for Newcastle United, has always impressed me with his strength and work ethic. He is also a decent striker with a decent back to goal, energetic, and forceful. Above all, a respectable finisher. Because of Solihull Moors’ preference for Tahvon Campbell and Mark Beck, as well as the club’s relatively limited prospects, I believe he will be looking to leave this summer. As a result, Step 1 football may be of interest to him.image by Gareth Copley

Chris Millington has profited in signing younger, hungry players that he can polish at The Shay, and so one player that they could cast their eyes over is Blyth Spartans midfielder Will McGowan. Blyth Spartans were ultimately relegated from the National League North after a poor end to the season, but McGowan – formerly of South Shields – is one that stood out for Spartans as one of, if not their best player. McGowan will not want to play below Step 2 having shown his qualities last term as a diligent, box-to-box midfielder. He scored six times for South Shields in 45 appearances, and got the same return in terms of goals and appearances this term for Blyth Spartans. He represents a nice balance between offensive and defensive skillsets, has been well-coached in Sunderland’s academy, is only 21 years of age and has a really likeable maturity. A player that will be not be short of interest.

9. Will McGowan

Midfielder Will McGowan of the Blyth Spartans is one player they could look at, as Chris Millington has found success in bringing in younger, ambitious players to The Shay. After a dismal finish to the season, the Blyth Spartans were demoted from the National League North; nonetheless, McGowan, a former South Shields player, was one of, if not their greatest player. McGowan, who demonstrated his abilities as a conscientious, box-to-box midfielder last season, will not want to play below Step 2. He made 45 appearances and scored six goals for South Shields. This season, he made the same number of appearances and goals with Blyth Spartans. He has had excellent coaching at Sunderland’s academy, strikes a good mix between his offensive and defensive skill sets, is only 21 years old, and has a truly endearing maturity. A participant who is sure to spark curiosity.

One player that was let go by their side that came as a bit of a surprise to me and who I feel would be a useful acquisition for The Shaymen is former Salford City man Danny Whitehall. The midfielder was let go by AFC Fylde at the end of the campaign, and speaking to one or two of a Fylde persuasion they certainly raised an eyebrow or two that he was indeed allowed to leave the football club. Whitehead is another that has been promoted out of the division before, doing so with Salford City and Macclesfield Town, and should be the type of player Town want if they are to scale similar heights and go one further than this term. The former West ham United trainee is technically strong, has a good range of passing, can play wide or centrally, and is a good balance between offensive and defensive sides to the game with a strong work-rate and capable of getting round the pitch.

10. Danny Whitehead

Danny Whitehall, a former Salford City player, is one player who was let go by them that surprised me a little bit and who I think would be a good addition for The Shaymen. When the midfielder was released by AFC Fylde at the end of the season, some members of the Fylde faction expressed surprise that he had been given permission to leave the team. If Town wants to reach similar heights and advance further this season, Whitehead is another player who has been promoted out of the league in the past, having done it with Salford City and Macclesfield Town. With a strong work ethic and the ability to move around the pitch, the former West Ham United youngster is technically sound, has a decent passing range, and can play wide or centrally. He also strikes a nice balance between the offensive and defensive aspects of the game.

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